RALEIGH, N.C. (Sept. 17, 2003) – Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that defensemen Brad Fast and Allan Rourke were returned to the Lowell Lock Monsters of the American Hockey League. Fast and Rourke will report to Lowell’s training camp which begins Sept. 24.

Carolina’s training camp continues Thursday as the team departs for Florida. The Hurricanes’ Thursday practice, originally scheduled for 9 a.m. at the RecZone, has been moved to 2 p.m. at TECO Arena in Estero, Fla., due to Hurricane Isabel.

Carolina opens its 2003 preseason schedule against the Florida Panthers at Office Depot Center on Friday, Sept. 19. Following two contests against Atlanta and one against Tampa Bay, the Hurricanes will return to Raleigh on Sept. 24 to continue training camp at the RBC Center. Carolina’s first preseason game at the RBC Center will take place Sept. 25 against Tampa Bay.

The Hurricanes open their seventh season in North Carolina on Oct. 9 at Florida, before returning to the RBC Center for their home opener, Saturday, Oct. 11 against defending Stanley Cup champion New Jersey. Ticket packages for the 2003-04 season are available by calling 1-888-NHL-TIX1. Individual game tickets will be available beginning Sept. 28 at the fourth annual Caniac Carnival at the RBC Center.